How to Wear Green for St. Patrick’s Day

Leave the Leprechaun Ties at Home: Here’s How to Dress for St. Patrick’s Day

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Sure and begorra, it’s time to cue up “Danny Boy” on the old bagpipes; take a wee shot of Jameson and head out the door for the parade dressed in your St. Patricks Day Suit, plastic bowler, and a lot of swagger. And if you don’t get brawl on your pub crawl, we’ll just assume you have the luck of the Irish … ’cause you sure don’t have their style. Don’t confuse tired old St. Patrick’s Day tropes with the modern way most Irish today celebrate their proud heritage. We tell you all you need to know about what to wear on St. Patrick's Day.

Irish Green Really Is a Thing

Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? “The color green is a symbol of our patriotism, a color found in our tricolor flag, while also linking to our country’s reputation for having plenty of green-drenched landscape,” explains Andy Collins of Dublin-based store Indigo & Cloth.

The green, white, and orange flag was originally developed to represent peace (using white) between Irish Catholics (green) and Protestants (orange), which, admittedly, has had a somewhat rocky history. If you want to wear that bright green, look for spring or Irish green. Emerald green and kelly are also both completely acceptable hues, but don’t get too hung up on specifics. As Collins said, grass, lime, cypress, and other hues from nature are also right. (Just don’t wear every green thing in your wardrobe, all at the same time.)

Complements the Color Wheel

Focus on one or two shades, and then contrast with spring’s other bright colors, such as yellow, blue, or purple, grounded in neutrals. Keep things peaceful, though, and refrain from wearing green’s complementary color, orange. While it’s not exactly the insult it once was, it is considered to be the color of the “Unionists,” those Northern Irish who remained part of the United Kingdom; and, as mentioned, Protestants, who after all, don’t venerate saints at all.

From a fashion standpoint, green is also a key color for Spring 2019. Shop carefully and you’ll be on-trend for seasons to come, no matter your religious affiliation or country of origin.

“With wellness on everyone’s minds, green and green-cast neutrals are prominently featured throughout 2019,” says Brian M. Trunzo, senior trend consultant with fashion consultancy WGSN. “We’ve declared ‘Neo Mint’ the color to watch in 2020, and as a precursor to that, expect to see some dusty and washed out greens — think reimagined pastels — throughout the market.”

Using the Emerald Isle’s favorite tint as a foundation, the perfect holiday get-up might also include some Irish heritage in terms of those classic tweeds and cable sweaters, but don’t stand on tradition.

“The modern Irishman is now a well-traveled, globalized consumer,” says Collins. “Dublin nowadays is regarded as a very multicultural city, showcasing a wealth of international taste in terms of fashion. There’s a much greater sense of freedom with style, too. [My store] Indigo & Cloth is a testament to that, stocking a variety of international, sought after brands that locals and visitors can equally enjoy.”

For suggestions on what to invest in for the St. Patrick’s Day parades and parties you’ll be attending, we gathered a few ideas to serve as inspiration.

Don’t Rain on the Style Parade

When it’s time to hit the streets for St. Patrick’s Day, do a quick check on the weather forecast and be prepared for anything. It’s spring so temperatures can yo-yo, and rain can come up unexpectedly. Rely on smart layering to get you through the day looking bleedin’ massive. Collins recommends a packable rain jacket as well as a lightweight knit and a T-shirt. Try this green K-Way Le Vrai Windbreaker that comes in it’s own handy fanny pack pouch. Toss that on with a pair of dark jeans for a look that’s sporty and functional. If it’s a little cooler, be prepared with a Todd Snyder + Champion hoodie, or a J. Crew cotton sweater.

Aran Sweater Style

The Aran sweaters Collin refers to have a tale attached, that Irish fishermen's wives knitted recognizable patterns into the pullovers so the drowned bodies of sailors could be more easily identified. That’s been certified as bunk, so we can give that old trope a rest, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a great addition to your wardrobe. Inis Meáin (pronounced innish man) is one of the Aran Islands for which the sweaters are named. The Inis Meáin Knitting Company has been making sweaters there since 1976, infusing the heritage of the island with cutting edge technology and the very finest yarns. Grab one of its bright lime linen shirts or simply a classic Fisherman style sweater to make a modern Irish style statement that will look just as great on St. Patrick’s Day as it will come cool evenings this summer. Pair either with camel 5-pocket pants or classic navy dress trousers.

Irish Style, Woven In

Margaret Molloy, of WearingIrish, a marketing initiative to introduce Irish fashion to the U.S. market, says “Irish fashion is all about sustainability and provenance, important trends in fashion right now that work well with the artisanal nature of Irish product. I recommend that guys focusing on wearing creations by Irish designers and be less literal about the color. To my mind, wearing Irish is a sophisticated way to wear green! That said, though, green is a very flattering color on all complexions.” Case in point, Ireland’s Donegal tweeds. The handwoven woolen fabric has been produced for centuries in County Donegal, and is renown for its softness and warmth.

Molloy recommends checking out Magee 1866. (The company’s owners are so cool they sit on the Facebook’s small business council.) Check out the brand’s khaki washed linen Grandfather shirts and green country check Donegal tweed trim-fit blazers. Pair those with a technical chino, like these olive Nomad Proof trousers for a sophisticated look that will carry you throughout the day.

Accessories in the Bag

If you find yourself wanting a slighter showing of green, there are plenty of options that are much more subtle and can be incorporated into your wardrobe everyday without reminding you of any specific Irish celebration, good or bad.

Ties, socks, and bags are an easy way to infuse a little of the grassy hue when you are looking to go a little more festive, but maybe not a lot. Be careful to add one green accessory, not many, so that you don’t run the risk of looking like you went overboard with the color. One pair of stylish casual socks such as these from Arvin Goods, or this cargo stripe tie from The Tie Bar add just a hint of green to an otherwise neutral outfit. If you are really looking to invest in a green piece that will last for many St. Patty’s Days to come, this olive Bleecker backpack from Coach should do the job nicely.

If green just isn’t your color, but you do want to do your part to celebrate the day, try De Bruir, an Irish leather company offering some quite inventive leather bags and accessories. We particularly like the Parachuter bag and the quilted folio. They may not be olive (or chartreuse, or forest, or moss), but they will have everyone around you turning green with envy of your charmed taste.

Irish or not, Catholic or not, St. Patrick’s Day is always one of the most fun holidays on the calendar. It reminds us that spring is just around the corner, and that coming together as a community for a parade, a party, and some music—and maybe a wee drink or two—are some of the luckiest things we can share with each other. Dressing in the many shades of green, the color of new growth and life, is all just part of the fun. Erin go Bragh!

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